Incivek is making me sick to my stomache

[SunShineGirlie]

Started the triple therapy 3 weeks ago and I can't get rid of the nausea.  Anyone that was on the trials for this drug, how long does this last or is it throughout the duration?

thanks Sunny

[copyman]

yes I SVR'd. It has been 2 yrs since trial. 12 weeks of triple therapy then continued with just INF & RIBA for another 20 weeks. I drank ONLY a glass of "whole" milk the entire study. My study arm was suppose to go 48 weeks but I made a decision to stop early around 33 weeks. I tapered off the INF over 4 weeks. Was clear during & after TX  using labcorps most sensitive test, NGI ultra quantasure <2.

If possible follow prescribing information and take with food. I started drinking the milk because the damn vertex pills were so big I couldn't swallow them :)

[CaughtOffGuard]

I felt nausea the first couple of days but not anymore..
I take mine with milk and a 1" cube of cream cheese.

I hope you feel better soon!

Big Hug,
christina

[elpasolady]

I called the INCIVEK nurse help line today. One of my questions was if drinking a glass of almond milk with 21 grams of fat would suffice or do I need more substance in my stomach.  She told me I need to have food in my stomach for better absorption.
(Not that those people are doctors by any means)
Just wondering, Copy, what your current status is. Did you SVR in the trial?.

[roostermom]

My daughter cleared the virus in the trial.

[SunShineGirlie]

thanks everyone, the input is much appreciated - those of you that were in the trials did you clear the virus?

[dointime]

I was in a Vertex trial.  I got debilitating nausea.  Quite often just had to lie flat on my back for long spells or would chuck up.  Never got any meds for it.

Good luck to you
dointime

[copyman]

I was in a vertex trial. Took the pills with a glass of whole milk, regular or chocolate. Never had upset stomach 12 weeks taking Telaprevir.

For upset stomach try making a tea with fresh ginger. Or buy edible aloe from health food store.

Hope you feel better soon

[roostermom]

My daughter was in the Incevik trial and was prescribed zofran. I am on week 8 of triple tx and also was prescribed zofran and it worked really well.

[crossroadsec]

I'll just add there were some awful days and then sometimes I eat all day w no prob. I took 1 of the zofran and it helped. I took my 6th shot lat Friday n it seems to have mostly subsided. Certain foods I avoid, others I can tolerate. Ginger candy chews n ginger tea or ale does help! Hang in there!! Karen

[taccs4]

Sunny

You can always try some ginerale and see if that helps settle your stomach until you talk to the doc. So far my nausea has been minimal and just comes in waves. Hope you find some relief.

[working dog]

i use zofan too....i think the riba causes me nausea too....the gagging can be a drag...good luck...billy

[dixiechicdana]

I have been on triple therapy for 4 weeks now and nausea is terrible. My Dr prescribed zofran. Zofran is for nausea in chemo and radiation patients...it does wonders. See if he will prescribe you some. Good luck.

[lynda607]

I was not part of the Vertex trials but if you access the archives of this forum you will find threads from those who participated in the Telaprevir trials and report nausea as a side effect.  Those patients who have recently started triple therapy with Incivek are commonly reporting nausea too.

As you can see from the information provided by Vertex in the trials, approximately 39% of patients experienced nausea.  That's a fairly large percentage but it appears once the Incivek is stopped, the nausea and vomiting subside as well.

If the nausea becomes problematic or you develop a rash you're doctor will need to change his mindset.  Anti Nausea medications do not interfere with the efficacy of Incivek.  There is no need to suffer needlessly.

http://pi.vrtx.com/files/uspi_telaprevir.pdf

[SunShineGirlie]

thanks, were you part of the Vertex trials?  My Doc is of the mindset no additional drugs so taking anything for it is not an option, just wondered if it lasted throughout for all or not.

[lynda607]

Nausea is a common side effect with Incivek.  With some it's constant, with others it's intermittent.  Prescription medications like Compazine, Phenergan and Zofan can help.

Nausea generally subsides after stopping the Incivek.